Willet

Willet (Tringa semipalmata) is a large shore bird in the sandpiper family with a body length of 15 inches and a wing span of 26 inches. Like many other shorebirds, Willets were once popular food and they faced extinction in early 1900.  The Migratory Bird Treaty Act o of 1918 prevented hunting and therefore conserved Willet's population. Often times you find Willets solitarily feed along beaches, shoreline, salt marsh and mudflats. I photographed this guy when I first arrived the island. This willet ignored my presence and once a while stopped to probe crab or worms in sand. Amazingly, he never missed one! I found his behavior very interesting and it seemed that he already knew his target before making his next move.

Winter plumage, Jekyll Island ...you may click image to enlarge

I wonder what this world would be like if we all can learn from a Willet, try to make good judgement for things we intend to do. We will have less stress and agony, no more hatred and crying faces. I guess that would be a wonderful and peaceful world! -- Happy Birding! -- Linda

Click the following links to see my other posts:
Boat-tailed Grackle

Ring-billed Gull

Royal Tern (1)

Royal Tern in flight